My name is Akua, I'm 39 and I reside with my husband in Brooklyn, NY and we have been trying to concieve for a while. Turns out my tubes are totally blocked. After much trying and discussion we decided to give IVF a try. I had my first consult at the fertility center on March 23, 2009. My doctor answered all my questions and thinks my chances are good because we already have children.
I am new to this whole thing and very nervous. I have no idea what to expect. She told me all about the different tests and blood work and stuff but I have heard such bad stories online from women who have had several IVF cycles and still couldn't concieve or the side effects from all the drugs or the "pin cusion stage" Oh well, I want to do whatever I can because I really want to have another child. Anyway.. after my initial appointment and exam, I was given some information and told to call the clinic the first day I get my menstrual cycle which was this past Friday morning. So I called and was instructed to come into the clinic the following day (Saturday) for bloodwork to test my hormones. Then I was given about four large pieces of paper (Lab and more bloodwork orders!!) to take to a lab. There was so many tests ordered that they said I would have to come back to do the rest in a few days because it was just too much to do all at once. WOW! The first day they took about 15 vials of blood! Ok, I'm rambling now. Sorry, I'm just really new to all this. For the next few weeks I am scheduled for all kinds of tests. HSN test, PCT, endometrial biopsy, HSG, etc.
Any advice anyone can give me would be greatly appreciated. I need all the support I can get and this is a great outlet. My husband is great too and so supportive but even this is his first experience with IVF too.
Also, my husband has to go away for a month on a work assignment at the very end of April. Will I have to give myself the injections? Has anyone on this forum had to do this? I will ask my doctor but I just wanted others' experiences too.

Sounds like they are putting you through every test imaginable. Sorry for that but it isn't too bad after all the tests are done. IVF is a big process but if you take it one step at a time it isn't too bad. The medications seem really overwhelming but you will get used to them. The shot are easier to take knowing that you are in a cycle and closer to being PG. Seeing that you have been PG before it might be easier. At least your body knows how to get PG. Yes, there are some of use that go through IVF hell and cycle millions of times (or at least feels this way), but a lot of women are lucky and get PG their first shot. This board is a great place so feel free to ask any questions. You might want to join a cycle group over on the IVF boards. They are really helpful. Also, if you are just doing test, I doubt you will be in a cycle by the end of April so you probably won't have to worry about doing injections while your DH is out of town.

Yes, the testing seems like it goes on forever. And I'm not sure about other clinics, but at mine they need to have everything updated within a year, so in my case I have had to do a lot of the testing 3 times now.

As to the shots, at this point I have managed to tackle all of them myself, including the intramuscular progesterone shots. The other shots you would probably taking like the Lupron and stimulating shots aren't as bad as you might think. OK, yes, it's a little traumatizing at first when you're sitting there with the needle in your hand thinking, "In my belly?? Seriously?!?" But for me just knowing that it's what I had to do meant that I could do it. The subcutaneous needles are very small and thin, and honestly you are probably better off doing it yourself than freaking out while your husband fumbles around with it. (Unless he's a doctor or something and actually knows what he's doing!)

When I first started progesterone my husband did them. His technique was to distract me. ("After I give you this shot, can I do you in the a**?" "WHAT?!" ::jab:: ) I almost hyperventilated the first time wielding the 1.5 inch, THICK progesterone needle over my own bum. But again, you do what you have to do. Now either my husband does it, or if he's working I do it myself and it's not a big deal either way. To be honest I almost prefer doing it myself now.

WOW. Thanks for the responses. It has helped put my mind at ease somewhat and DH has already begun acting nervous about injecting me with a needle so I think Im going to be on my own as far as they are concerned. Oh and sorry it took me so long to update you guys but here goes: Bloodwork and more bloodwork at the lab, Then on 4/9 an HSN (uncomfortable but not too bad; mild cramping), then yesterday I had HSG. This was WAYYY more invasive and I still feel achey from the procedure. I did get to see it on the screen and the dye did not come through my tubes. So yes, they are blocked like cement. Day after tomorrow we do the PCT. Honestly you would think I'd be more excited about having sex but with all the activity thats been going on up there the past week or so, I'm not really looking forward to it! Ok, I'm kidding (a little). I'm sure some of you can relate....Gosh if I feel this way so earlt on imagine what I will feel like towards the middle and the end! LOL.

Nice to meet you Akos (Mally) and BdAntonio.
Im doing as much reading as I can and I am concentrating/meditating on a great outcome. Positive thinking, you know?
I had a talk with DH last night to warn him about some of the things I have read concerning the IVF drugs and there side effects, like the mood swings. Simply put, I told him that if he sees me having a 'meltdown' accompanied by screaming, crying, anger... just pretend I'm right about WHATEVER I'm moody about. So now I have cart blanche' (pretty much like now) to be wrong and still be right!. LOL.
Right now Im going to the section in this forum about abbreviations so I can learn to understand what some of the more 'seasoned' IVFers here are talking about!